The title of Arlene's talk is: “The Myth of Corporate Philanthropy” 

In 1977, Arlene came to the Boston area as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to work as a community organizer. She followed her year of service in the JVC with two years as a VISTA volunteer. After working for nearly 20 years as a nonprofit executive, Arlene served as Senior Advisor to Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino in his first term.

After a 26 year career that included serving as Senior Vice President and Director of Public Affairs for Citizens Bank and several leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, in 2003, Arlene formed Fortunato & Associates, which specializes in building the capacity of nonprofit organizations. She is widely recognized for securing Kresge Challenge grants for community-based capital campaigns and has worked with some of the region’s most effective organizations.

Arlene teaches Strategic Planning for Nonprofits in the Urban Scholars program in the Simons College Graduate School of Social Work. Her advice is frequently sought by Democratic candidates, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the nonprofit sector as the AFP Development Professional of the Year in 2002, YWCA Academy of Women Achievers in 2006 and “Top 10 Professional Coaches” in Women’s Business Magazine. Arlene lives in Chestnut Hill, MA and has two children.